The Hindu : Front Page : Carrying I-Proof mandatory in Delhi now

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Saturday, Jan 05, 2008
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Carrying I-Proof mandatory in Delhi now

Staff Reporter

Random checks from January 15, announces Lieutenant-Governor
“The idea,” he says, “is to protect, not harass, citizens”

NEW DELHI: Many Delhiites may still not possess any identity card, but carrying identity proof has been made mandatory in the Capital from this coming January 15 ostensibly for security considerations.

Announcing the move, Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna said on Friday that orders in this regard had also been issued to the Delhi police, who would now conduct random checks on people to establish their credentials.

“The decision to verify the identity of the citizens has been taken in the wake of the recent terror attacks in various parts of the country. The move would help in preventing such incidents,” the Lieutenant-Governor said at a press conference at Raj Niwas.

Affirming that the police had been instructed to carry out random checks, Mr. Khanna advised people to carry identity proofs with them to avoid any inconvenience.

The L-G disclosed that security personnel would carry out random checks from January 15 onward and any individual could be asked to produce identity proof. The identity proof could be a photo identity card, passport, ration card or any other valid proof. Even identity cards issued by offices, colleges and schools would serve as valid identity proof. The Delhi Government would give adequate publicity to the move, he added.

The L-G claimed that the move was not aimed at harassing people but for protecting them. He cautioned that in case anyone was caught without a valid identity proof, the police would have the power to take appropriate action.

Responding to the L-G’s announcement, Delhi Police Commissioner Y. S. Dadwal said the police had already been resorting to such random checks in the past, and now with the direction from the Lieutenant-Governor the drive would become more intense.

The L-G also emphasised the need for using multiplicity of authority in Delhi as a challenge for better coordination. Performance of different tasks by different agencies was part of the process of evolution, he said, adding that there was a need to ensure better teamwork for bringing the best out of all the agencies involved in the development and upkeep of Delhi.

Responding to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s complaint that her government was unable to perform because various key agencies such as the Delhi Development Authority and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi were not under it, the L-G said efforts should be directed at bringing about better harmony in the functioning of all agencies.

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